It’s been said that you haven’t lived until you’ve done something for someone who can never repay you. How true the sentiment is and what a joy it was to experience first-hand earlier this month at Explore Rim Country in Payson, AZ.
Earlier this month, Arizona Care Hospice joined “Explore Rim Country”, the annual business showcase sponsored by Rim Country Regional Chamber of Commerce to network with local businesses, but more importantly – to connect with the people of Payson and share the many ways that Arizona Care Hospice is serving Payson with the best in hospice care.
To show support for Arizona Care Hospice and help with setting up for the event, Tyler Egbert, Payson High School sophomore, Arizona Care Hospice volunteer, and Arizona Care Hospice hot dog cart manager, joined his mom, Keri Egbert, Regional Director of Community Outreach, for the experience.
During the event, Tyler and his friend Kaden, decided to join the day’s festivities by entering a dance contest where they both won with their own renditions of the twist. Shortly after, Tyler decided to continue the fun by buying $3 in raffle tickets for the event’s 50/50 drawing. And wouldn’t you know it – Tyler’s luck streak continued with his winning the 50/50 drawing and $147!
When asked for his initial reaction to winning, Tyler shared that he was quite surprised! Of course, $147 is a lot of money to most 15 year olds, especially when one considers the many entertaining ways to spend it. Tyler on the other hand, didn’t give much thought to his plans for his winnings. He really only had one plan: giving it all away.
We were talking it about it before and we wanted to donate it to the Hurricane Dorian Relief Fund. There was a church there and they made an announcement that they were going to be accepting donations for hurricane relief.
Tyler Egbert
Tyler didn’t keep a dime of the raffle prize. He donated the entire $147 to the Payson United Methodist Church for their Hurricane Dorian Relief Fund. When asked why a young man with nearly $150 in raffle winnings would choose to donate it all to charity, Tyler’s response was simple.
I feel bad for the people over there. They need the money more than I do. Their homes are gone. I have everything I need.
Tyler Egbert
According to Rim Country Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook post, not a dry eye was left in the house. Tyler, a young man who could’ve enjoyed a few of his favorite activities like riding his quad or going on a hike at Shoofly Indian Ruins on a beautiful day, dedicated his Saturday to volunteering to serve with Arizona Care Hospice, help his mom with setting up and running the Arizona Care Hospice booth, and in the most awesome of surprises, donating his entire raffle winnings to those in need.
A truly inspiring act, selfless in nature, and abundant in generosity – Tyler showed us all what living should be about: doing something for those who can never repay you.